SRINAGAR: Former PDP leader and three-time MLA from Pulwama constituency Mohammad Khalil Bandh today joined the National Conference. He was welcomed into the party fold by NC president Farooq Abdullah, a spokesman of the party said.
Bandh, a founding member of the PDP, resigned from the party on Wednesday accusing its leadership of humiliating the old guard. “The party has upended after Mufti Mohammad Sayeed sahab’s demise (in January 2016), where old/elected/experienced lot was not only neglected but humiliated to the core and few men with parachute launching decided/dictated and shaped a disaster of where we stand today,” he wrote in his resignation letter to PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
Bandh, who was elected to the state legislative assembly from Pulwama segment in 2002, 2008 and 2014 was also Pulwama district president of the PDP. He was the eighth legislator from the PDP to resign from the party after the PDP-BJP coalition government collapsed in June 2018.
Others who have left the party include Altaf Bukhari, Haseeb Drabu, Basharat Bukhari, Imran Ansari, Abid Ansari and Abbas Wani (all former MLAs).
Welcoming Bandh into the party Dr Farooq Abdullah today said the youth of the state have a key role to play in protecting the interests of the state, saying the need of the hour calls for active engagement of youth in state politics.
The party president while addressing the workers, functionaries here at party functionaries said the old guard in politics has done its bid now the situation calls for the active involvement of youth in politics.
“Today the very existence of our identity is facing onslaught from all sides. The state is heading towards a crucial trial. The forces as are inimical to our identity and special constitutional position are trying and will speed up its efforts to divide us. The powers that be will leave no stone unturned to obliterate our identity. Our enemies want us divided, our unity threatens them, and it frustrates their machinations. However, if at this juncture we don’t strike unity then the coming generation will never forgive us. At the moment our it is very identity of our state that is at stake,” said Abdullah.
The NC President said that there are forces who are contriving to change the demography of our state. It is imperative for the youth to come forward and respond to the challenges, our ill-fated state is facing. The transition from old to young is necessary; we have a sprawling population of youth, the need of the hour is too tap its potential, he said adding, “once forthcoming government with Omar Sahib in the vanguard of it, will ensure greater justice for youth. We will empower youth by providing them safe spaces to pursue their vocations. Addressing employment will crown the agenda of the forthcoming government led by Omar Sahib. We cannot think of moving forward without feeling the pulse of youth, we have to make amends to the wrongs committed by successive government since 2015,” he said.
The NC President while underscoring the need for uniting the efforts to end the trend of drug abuse among youth said, “The need of the hour calls for joint societal efforts to tackle with the menace. The issue has to be addressed with all seriousness jointly by various stakeholders that include the government as well. But the greater responsibility lies on the shoulders of schools, parents and the community leaders. The need of the hour calls for inclusive policy against the menace focusing mainly on three components: policing, de- addiction, and prevention. The situation should be immediately tackled with a brawny response before it morphs into a much dire situation. It would be better if the state government comes up with an inclusive policy against the menace of drug addiction and narcotic smuggling. The policy frame work should include the inputs of health, police and education departments. Various civil society groups should also be taken on board before evolving such a state level strategy against the menace.”
The new entrant into the party Muhammad Khalil Band while addressing the workers said, “Our state is facing tremendous onslaught on its identity. I am of the thought that only NC can salvage the state towards safe shores. It is NC only that can meet the challenges our state is facing.”
Among others party’s general secretary Haji Ali Muhammad Sagar, Provincial president Nasir Aslam Wani, south zone president Dr Bashir Veeri, YNC provincial president Salman Ali Sagar, Political Advisor to party President Mushtaq Guroo, Gh Mohiudin Mir, Showkat Mir, Pir Muhammad Hussain, Qafir Ur Rahman, Sheikh Rafi, Dr Mohd Shafi, Dr Ghulam Nabi, Javaid Rahim Bhat also welcomed the new entrant into the party fold. The new entrant was festooned with garlands on the occasion.